If you are thinking of buying a plug-in hybrid car and getting those coveted green carpool stickers to cruise solo in carpool lanes, forget about it. The state is no longer issuing green stickers, having reached the 85,000 cap approved by the California Legislature. The Department of Motor Vehicles will continue to accept applications for a waiting list in case the cap is once again raised. However, there is no limit on white carpool stickers for electric cars or those running on compressed natural gas. The DMV had issued 92,480 white decals as of Monday. While there is no pending legislation to increase the number of green stickers, the most recent increase in the decal ceiling was included in last year’s state budget legislation. “It is quite conceivable that this approach may be used again,” Metropolitan Transportation Commission spokesman John Goodwin said. But if the cap holds, “this is not happy news,” said Francis Chung, of San Jose, who has been considering a plug-in car to get stickers and ease his commute on Highway 85.

“My drive to work now takes me 30 minutes longer each way.” Average speeds on nearly half of the Bay Area’s 400 miles of carpool lanes are under 45 mph, failing to meet federal performance standards. As a result, solo FasTrak users are banned from the Highway 237-Interstate 880 express lanes for up to an hour each morning. Transportation officials say the same restrictions are likely on future express lanes on other Bay Area freeways, such as I-580 in the Livermore Valley, when those open next year. Nowhere in the Bay Area is the sticker program more popular than in Santa Clara County: Through February, 8,045 of the 19,757 decals on the road in the nine-county region were issued there. Alameda County was next at 3,821, followed by Contra Costa at 2,415 and San Mateo at 1,971. But there’s a downside. The MTC opposed the most recent hike to 85,000 stickers, saying that increases in the allotment hurt efforts to encourage carpooling and get more cars off the road.

And regional officials fear that another increase in the cap would hurt efforts to get motorists to pay to drive in express lanes. “With congestion levels reaching new levels, especially in the prosperous South Bay … where the purchase of more (electric) vehicles is likely, we should not be giving single-occupant vehicles free access to the region’s HOV lanes,” MTC executive chief Steve Heminger wrote in a memo. “If left unchecked this program has the potential to undermine the viability of the region’s express lane network, a core element of the Bay Area’s strategy for improving highway mobility.” Traffic for a year or more on Highway 85 south of I-280 has been so bad the HOV lane is almost as slow as the regular lanes, according to commuter Alan Arndt, who says on some days six of 10 cars have carpool stickers. “That bonus has certainly paid off around here for encouraging more efficient cars,” he said, “but it has also totally clogged the HOV lane.”

The 85,000 limit on green “clean air” decals has been reached. The DMV will continue to accept applications without payment on a waiting list in case the Legislature raises the cap. Plug-in hybrids were eligible for green stickers, allowing solo drivers to use carpool lanes. No limit on white carpool decals for electric cars or those that run on compressed natural gas. For more information, go to www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/decal or call 800-242-4450.endust cd dvd lens cleaner Stickers are good until 2019.crusaders desktop air purifier Department of Motor Vehiclesbell and howell ionic maxx air purifier reviews The City of Berkeley is committed to providing secure, conveniently located bicycle parking.

The goal of the City's Bicycle Parking Program is to reduce bicycle theft and improve conveneiance for bicycle users. The City has more than 1,000 bicycle racks through out Berkeley. Request a Bicycle Rack Berkeley residents, local employees, business and property owners can submit requests for bicycle racks. Requests are evaluated by City staff and if a physically feasible location is identified, the location is added to the bicycle rack request list for installation as resources allow. To request a bike rack: Check the bike parking map to see if your location has already been rejected/ requested Email eanderson@cityofberkeley.info or call 3-1-1 or 981-CITY New- Bike Corral Program Berkeley's on-street bicycle parking corrals offer businesses an opportunity to increase the amount of parking available to customers as well as improve the sidewalk environment. Read about this program and, if you're a business owner, apply for a free bike corral here. Report an abandoned bicycle that is in the public right of way.

A bike is defined as abandoned if it is inoperable.   Have you been to Downtown Berkeley's Bike station? Keep your bike safe and secure with valet bike parking. Berkeley Bicycle Rack Design Specifications and Guidelines Specifications for architects, engineers and contractors on how and where bike racks should be placed and installed. Berkeley's interactive bike parking map. Locate bike parking, bike lockers and bike corrals in Berkeley and check on requested bike rack locations. Unfortunately bicycle theft is common in Berkeley. Keep your bicycle safe with these tips. Bike Rack Program Timeline and Funding More information on the bike rack program including current fiscal year program timelines and funding info. Bike Lockers Did you know that there are bike lockers located through out Berkeley? Purchase a card with Bikelink and keep your bike safe and secure. The City's Bicycle Parking Program is supported by Alameda County Measure B sales taxes and grants from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Transportation Fund for Clean Air.